In the cold early morning hours of December 6, 1845 U.S. troops under the command of General Stephen Kearny were surprised and defeated by Californio forces in the San Pasqual valley just over the hill from my home.

After the embattled U.S. forces were forced to retreat to a defensive position on Mule Hill (now so named because they ate their mules for food) , the famous frontiersman / Scout Kit Carson and two others from the beleaguered troops had to sneak though the Californio lines to San Diego to get relief help.

This wonderful stained glass window depicts a pair of U.S. soldiers riding into the ambush. Judy and Dave and I visited the museum and State Historical Park today before they left for home.

Click ** HERE ** for more about this Mexican-American War battle,